Somalia claims destruction of ISIS training camp

Somalia army released images of its commandos conducting the anti-ISIS raid

Somali commandos have destroyed an Islamic State training camp in a raid in Southern Somalia, the Somali army has said.

The ground operation took place in the town of Janale, which is some 90km (55 miles) south-west of the capital, Mogadishu earlier this week, according to a press release from the army.

Scores of the ISIS fresh recruits and trainers were killed or wounded in the operation, added the statement.

In this image, Somali commandos are seen carrying the popular ISIS flag

The training might have consisted of lessons on radical Islam, norms of life of ISIS and physical and military training itself as well, according to sources.

Somali army provided several images showing the Commandos conducting the operation.

It is the first time the Somali army has launched an operation against the militant group which is slowly gaining inroads in the country.

Two weeks ago, the so-called Islamic State group claimed to have carried out its first attack in Somalia on a Africa Union troops military convoy in the outskirts of Mogadishu, with no casualties reports.

Since last year, Islamic State recruiters have been wooing al-Shabab’s leadership to cut ties with al-Qaeda. In May 2015, the Islamic State, popularly known as ISIS, released a short video in which members of Somali origin referred to al-Shabab fighters as “truthful mujahideen” and urged them to join their transnational state.